Featured Shop: Jonathan January

My name is Jonathan and I live in Oregon, where I design and make a wide range of furniture and other interior items for my shop, Jonathan January. I specialize in reclaimed materials, particularly architectural salvage, with a view toward responsible production and finishes that consider both environmental and home health.

My workshop is a great industrial space that includes nearly every phase of design and production, and I have a separate brick and mortar retail store as well. I make a very wide range of items using different materials, but there are some common threads throughout. For one, I try not to over-design, but I tend to overbuild my items; they are industrial-strength and meant to last. I have always made an effort to stay close to designs that show character and features already present in the materials, rather than attempt grandiose constructions mixing too many elements. Skill does not necessarily imply beauty, and many things are beautiful that require no skill. I hope that my designs and products show a happy medium of both.

I have always found it very satisfying to have my hands on an idea from start to finish; to see a grain of thought to its end as a finished item. I am involved every step of the way in the design and fabrication process of the items I offer; from sourcing logs and sawing raw lumber to final shipping, and all the little bits in between. I believe my sensitivity to issues surrounding interior and environmental health, the range of items offered, as well as the fact that my process is rooted and holistic makes me stand out.

Since nearly all of my materials are local and I am hands-on every step of the way, I have firsthand knowledge of every product’s source and history. Especially with historic lumber products, it is very satisfying to see an antique material take on a second life as a piece of furniture. We can all probably agree that responsibly produced items are preferable, but the addition of story – knowing who milled a piece of antique lumber and where it came from — lets some pieces come together in a comprehensive way.

I consider the health aspects of each item I make. What this translates to is an almost exclusive use of local materials, and special considerations for everything from raw material sourcing practices to finishes that surpass the health standards of many larger brands. Home health for consumers, preservation of natural resources, and a meaningful product that outperforms those of competitors makes for a purchase decision that customers can feel good about, and one that I am happy to offer.

On some level, we have to consume; we don’t have a choice. Instead of compromising what we want in an effort to mitigate that fact, I would hope that my products surpass customers’ expectations. Making a responsibly produced, beautiful product that performs extremely well is a conscious and constant goal of mine. I want people to enjoy my products; they are meant to be used.

It probably wasn’t so long ago that it was the norm for people to be directly involved in producing something on a more individual basis. Now, that is less and less the case. There has been a real overall decline in people who actually produce tangible items themselves, and I just can’t see this as progress. Etsy provides a highly functional venue for so many unique makers. If you came across a sprawling open-air market full of different products with many different cultures represented, you would think it was something special. Etsy is very much the same way, in that there are so many makers and genres from every part of the world represented, in one common area, in the same market, on one site.

Finally, just putting it out there: I want to make some furniture for Tom Waits. His music is on in the shop a lot. So, Tom – call me.

Beautiful pieces! Great photography! Enjoyed reading your article. It sounds very satisfying to know the history of each piece of wood as you give it a second life. Congrats on the feature and wishing you much success!

Your work is amazing and I especially appreciate that you reclaim old wood and give it new life. The craftsmanship is outstanding and obvious that you take care to make pieces that will last a lifetime. Oh, I wish I could have one of your dining tables!

It is obvious you have quit the passion for your craft, and that you are a conscientious craftsman from start to finish ~ I can only imagine that anything you dream will be become your reality ~ beautiful work!

When I sell 7399032407850 of my gems, I can afford one of your tables! :) To some girls shopping is the whole world and what makes the heart race. For me, the photo with the bunch of unused, old, chunky pieces of wood look stunning! Just to think how beautiful the multicolor one is. Huh!
Congrats on your shop.

I love everything about this! Beyond the excellently built and styled furniture, the article was a pleasure to read. It's so nice to hear that more and more people are caring about things like sustainability, health in the home, etc... It keeps me up at night sometimes, worrying about how my home is poisoning me - from the flame retardants in our carpet and mattress, to the treated wood of our desks and the metal in our cook wear. I look forward to having an income that could afford such well-made, handmade products one day. In the meantime, best of luck - the work speaks for itself. Jonathan is quite easy on the eyes too.. good luck getting ahold of Tom Waits!

Jonathan your work is beautiful and without you even saying it they really look that they're made to last forever...thanks for sharing your story and best of luck in getting your wish granted...furniture for Tom Waits, Nice!

I am a Salem, OR native and really enjoyed this feature. I like the inspiration behind your work and knowing a piece's history is pretty cool. I am going to have to mention your shop to my sister living in Adair Village to maybe check out some of your larger furniture. Keep up the great work!

Beautiful work. Those stools are just breathtaking. Turning something old into something new and beautiful takes persistence, innovation and creativity. It's clear you have all three going for you. Great job and congrats on the feature. ♥

Love that you think of the "health" of the wood and how that translates into the home!! Some things that are beautiful still might not work well for cutting your veggies on. Lovely photos and craftsmanship enjoyed it all !! Congrats

Wow, there's definitely a balance of simplicity and beauty in your work - I love it!
I think a lot of the time, choice in materials is the best thing for an artist and seeing something special about a certain piece of wood can make all the difference in the world for a finished product. This is such a great feature and congrats on your success! ... Tom Waits... and waits... until he can find the perfect furniture for his place. (yes, I went there)

Your imagination really lends itself to the growth of the wood. Natural wood is beautiful with no two pieces exactly alike. Congratulations on the feature much success in your future endeavors ~ Your quality is both inside and out !!

What a refreshing interview, loved it! And your creations are unique and beautiful. I hope Tom Waits calls you soon...I love his music including "Diamonds on My Windshield"....but my favorite is his "Old Shoes" and "Waltzing Matilda." :) Congrats on your special feature!

I keep re-reading these lines:
'I tend to overbuild my items; they are industrial-strength and meant to last.'
...and wishing more brick and mortar stores would share Jonathan January's values. We live in a disposable culture where everything is meant to be used quickly and thrown away rather than be lovingly worn and strengthened by age.
I'm glad that Etsy is trying to help change this.

What exquisite forms and craftsmanship! Furniture = art, Art = furniture!
As both an interior designer and an artist, I see your work as both.
Etsy continually impresses with the quality of artisans that consider this venue
so worthy and worthwhile. Best of luck...hope Tom calls!

Speechless! I am absolutely in love with the rustic modern piece on the red wall. Your hands on approach is evident in the pieces that you create. Many times when an artist envisions something and then hands it off to someone else to work on the vision becomes cloudy and the piece becomes second best. Your pieces are livable art. I wish you continued success. Blessings.

Beautiful, thoughtful work. Excellent work ethic and modern, minimalist design. Love that you care about the source of your materials and also how they could affect the health of the user. Thank you for sharing your story, and best wishes for continued success!

Almost every day I am amazed at the world of talent and imagination from my fellow Estians. Jonathan January you are a perferct example of that. Continue your beautiful work to show us how presumably wood destined for the land fill or left to rot can be made into something usable and awesome!

Hello Jonathan, I really enjoyed reading your feature and viewing the beautiful photos of your work. I like the fact that you use recycled lumber in your pieces. I purchased a hutch made from recycled wood and love the character that it brings to the piece. Things that are made by hand have a presence about them that mass produced run- of- the-mill products do not. I envy your setup with your workshop and retail space as one. Every time I read a different feature I come away with the thought that wouldn't it be great if everyone was doing something they loved. The world would be a much happier place :-) Wishing you continued success!

Jonathan, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of you and your shop! You obviously care about what you do, and it shows. Your pieces are gorgeous! I only wish I didn't live so far away. My home would be decked out in your furniture. I love it! Wishing you continued success. I hope your passion and philosophy never changes. It really will make you unique. :-)

This is the bomb!!! This is what I have envisioned I wanted to do or see or buy for probably decades, and you've done it, but even better than I imagined. Kudos. A blessing of abundance on you and yours!!!
Birdie W.

I absolutely love your work. The wood has a beauty all of its own and speaks for itself. I am in agreement with you on giving old items a second chance. We as a culture need to learn how to appreciate items and not look at everything as being disposable. You have beautiful work and you are definitely doing a great thing!

in a time of record levels of excessive waste, of complexity for the sake of complexity, simple, solid, reliable, is a rare and beautiful concept . Every piece is intense, strong, beautiful. It is perfect for balancing the fluttering chaos of society today. Beautiful work, I love it. If I weren't living in a place where everything has to be tiny and be a storage item as well as a piece of furniture, I would be certainly designing with your pieces as the center piece.
Beautiful!

Lovely feature... Your work is truly inspirational to me and i am sure to many.. The concept of upcycling rocks! If you speak to Tom, please pass on my details as I am sure he will love my eco-friendly cards too...

Being an Architect, I can understand the pressure and labour behind your creativity. But it is indeed a unique experience when we see people are admiring our work and very soon our work becomes the part of their life....
I really like your unique style of wood furniture. Thanks for sharing it!

You do very nice work. There is an art to using reclaimed wood, most do not realize the patience it takes. It is nice to see someone else who takes the time and thought to create cool unique pieces. :)

The fourth pic is my favorite and most beautiful to me! - the dark wood background with the contrasting light wood with the butterfly ties is as graceful as a kite tail. That is an amazing piece and if there were a jealous "have to have" button I'd be leaning hard on it! And even more better, it's all reclaimed wood! I have a bench coffee table made from reclaimed walnut by a wood artist in Los Angeles and it reminds me of Nakashima's works. As a hoarder I'm learning to be thankful for what I have, instead of focusing on the one as beautiful as a kite tail. Hmm, maybe if I sell mine and ....

As fellow furniture makers working in salvaged material, we have great respect for what you do. For us, it's hard to keep stuff posted in our Etsy shop, because every item is one of a kind and often sells before we get it out of our Mississippi studios. We're inspired to keep on keeping on. Go, go, go!